Car crash into light pole caused power outages

COLUMBIA — More than 500 people in central Columbia were without power Monday evening after a woman suspected of driving while intoxicated crashed into a utility pole on Worley Street.

The power outages affected 551 customers in the areas north of Worley Street, south of Business Loop 70, east of Garth Avenue and west of Rangeline Road, said Connie Kacprowicz, Energy Management Specialist II for Columbia Water and Light.

The driver, Neesha E. Navare, 28, of Columbia, was arrested for driving while intoxicated, said Sgt. Barbara Buck of the Columbia Police Department. According to MU’s online directory, Navare is a graduate student in MU’s English department. She was not injured in the accident, Buck said, and was released from Boone County Jail early Tuesday morning after posting $500 bond.

Kacprowicz said it took between 50 minutes and an hour-and-a-half to regain power in the affected areas.